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March 9th, 2009 @ 1:15pm
By Paul McHardy
SALT LAKE CITY -- This Sunday night's episode of HBO's "Big Love" may do more than just raise the eyebrows of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the characters will be depicted participating in LDS Temple ceremonies.
"The rituals and the teachings that take place in those we consider to be sacred and not appropriate for public view," says BYU Associate Dean of Religion Kent Jackson. "Latter-day Saints will find this very disheartening that something like this is taking place."
Jackson says this shows an insensitivity to sacred things.
"Good people honor other people's sense of the sacred."
Temples are restricted to church members in good standing, and the ceremonies and teachings inside are not intended to be discussed outside of the building. Jackson says other religions have similar sacred rituals.
"Mecca, the center place of the Islamic faith, is restricted entirely to Muslims. Non-Muslims are not allowed to go into the city at all," he says.
Executive Producer Mark Olsen hired a former member of the LDS Church to consult with set and wardrobe designers to re-create the ceremonies, including clothing and certain rooms inside the temple. He insists it's not intended for shock value, it's simple a very important part of the story.
A statement released by the LDS Church called on members not to overreact. It said in part, "Despite earlier assurances from HBO it once again blurs the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the show's fictional non-Mormon characters and their practices. Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints."
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I am sad to see this happen. At first I was upset and sick to my stomach that something so sacred and private to me would be aired for all the world to view, but then I thought how long we have gone as a worldwide religion without this happening.
I ask you of the LJ audience, to please respect my religion, and to please not watch this episode. I do admit I watched Big Love before, just because I had no clue what polygamy was about, but they are crossing and blurring lines with an offshoot religion that the LDS community does not have any connection with anymore.
I respect other's privacy, and this almost feels like I'm being stripped naked.... I guess I'm still going to have to absorb what is happening. :(
By Paul McHardy
SALT LAKE CITY -- This Sunday night's episode of HBO's "Big Love" may do more than just raise the eyebrows of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the characters will be depicted participating in LDS Temple ceremonies.
"The rituals and the teachings that take place in those we consider to be sacred and not appropriate for public view," says BYU Associate Dean of Religion Kent Jackson. "Latter-day Saints will find this very disheartening that something like this is taking place."
Jackson says this shows an insensitivity to sacred things.
"Good people honor other people's sense of the sacred."
Temples are restricted to church members in good standing, and the ceremonies and teachings inside are not intended to be discussed outside of the building. Jackson says other religions have similar sacred rituals.
"Mecca, the center place of the Islamic faith, is restricted entirely to Muslims. Non-Muslims are not allowed to go into the city at all," he says.
Executive Producer Mark Olsen hired a former member of the LDS Church to consult with set and wardrobe designers to re-create the ceremonies, including clothing and certain rooms inside the temple. He insists it's not intended for shock value, it's simple a very important part of the story.
A statement released by the LDS Church called on members not to overreact. It said in part, "Despite earlier assurances from HBO it once again blurs the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the show's fictional non-Mormon characters and their practices. Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints."
------------------------------
I am sad to see this happen. At first I was upset and sick to my stomach that something so sacred and private to me would be aired for all the world to view, but then I thought how long we have gone as a worldwide religion without this happening.
I ask you of the LJ audience, to please respect my religion, and to please not watch this episode. I do admit I watched Big Love before, just because I had no clue what polygamy was about, but they are crossing and blurring lines with an offshoot religion that the LDS community does not have any connection with anymore.
I respect other's privacy, and this almost feels like I'm being stripped naked.... I guess I'm still going to have to absorb what is happening. :(